With time, excessive skin on the upper eyelid begins to droop and sag and can even touch the eyelashes. The excess skin creates a tired, fatigued, and older appearance. Makeup becomes difficult to apply and peripheral vision may be compromised. When your vision becomes significantly affected, blepharoplasty can be deemed medically necessary and covered by most insurances. With this low-risk surgery, the excess skin and fat is removed to create a youthful and refreshed look while restoring your vision.
Drooping eyelids occur when the muscles that lift the eyelid are not strong enough to do so properly, which may require surgical repair. Individuals who suffer from ptosis commonly complain that they always look tired, and because of their constant effort to raise the eyelids, they sometimes experience fatigue and tension headaches. It becomes medically necessary to perform a ptosis repair when the droopy lids obstruct the peripheral vision.
Ectropion is an outwardly turned or sagging lower lid. As the lid sags away, the eye is exposed and causes symptoms of dryness and excessive tearing. Common causes of ectropion include age-related tendon laxity, trauma, scarring, or facial nerve paralysis associated with Bell’s Palsy. Treatment typically begins with lubrication drops or ointments, which may give temporary relief from the irritation. However, surgical treatment is usually the only long-term solution.
Entropion is an inward turning of the eyelid, usually the lower, causing the lashes to rub against the cornea (the clear surface of the eye). Symptoms of eye pain, excessive tearing, redness, and irritation are caused from the rubbing lashes. Left untreated, entropion could lead to permanent damage to the cornea and some vision loss. Surgery is the only corrective method.